While studying at the Bogomolets National Medical University, she met Petro Poroshenko at a disco. They married in 1984.[2] She worked as a cardiologist at the Zhovtneva Hospital until the birth of their first son, and after that, she devoted her time to her family.[1][2] She does not take part in public life and does not discuss politics with her husband.[3] She participates in the activities of the Petro Poroshenko Charity Foundation.[2]

The couple has four children: son Olexiy (born 1985), twin daughters Yevheniya and Oleksandra (born 2000) and son Mykhaylo (born 2001).[2] The family continues to live in their private home in the historic neighborhood of Koncha-Zaspa. Olexiy was a representative in the regional parliament of Vinnytsia Oblast.[5] In November 2014, he became People's Deputy of Ukraine.[6]

As the First Lady, Maryna Poroshenko has enjoyed a considerable level of people's support, being once described as "a breath of fresh air."[8] According to a discussion on the Ukrainian TV show 1+1, Marina is charming, well spoken, educated, and represents a modern, democratic Ukraine. The Ukrainian people expect the First Lady to serve as a liaison between the common people and the political, male dominated Ukraine. They expect her to be involved in social issues of Ukraine and to be a helpmate to her husband in the international arena as she represents Ukraine to the international community.[9]